It was the thirty-first gatherin'   of the Thompsons, Jones and Smiths    there were tables full of chicken,    taters, collard greens and grits    Well it all took place    at Hatie Lake State Park    Volleyball, fishin, badminton, yard darts    Aunt Irene said she'd never seens   a turnout like this       It started with handshakes    and Lordy how the babies have grown    As the sun got hotter,    the day got to draggin' along    I saw Uncle Gene coming back from his car    With something clear as water in a mason jar    The lemonade got hearty    and Lord the party was on       Chorus:       That ol' boom box got louder and louder    Actin' civilized didn't seem to matter    Everybody got to showin' their hiney    includin' me    Lord I'd never known Granny   to take her a sip    But the words were slurring   comin' offa her lips    And it dawned on me,    white lightnin' hit the family tree          Cousin Johnny was a Gator,    Jimmy was a UT fan    And that football talk    was quickly gettin' out of hand    Granny told Uncle Dave    that she hated his guts    Got right up in his face   and said your whole fam damily's nuts    Chicken legs got to flyin'   and the whoop started hittin' the fan          Chorus:    That ol' boom box got louder and louder    Actin' civilized didn't seem to matter    Everybody got to showin' their hiney    includin' me    Lord I'd never known Granny   to take her a sip    But the words were slurring   comin' offa her lips    And it dawned on me,    white lightnin' hit the family tree       That ol' park ranger   jumped out of his car    Said listen here folks,    it's gone a little too far    Tear it all down, pack it all up    Call it quits    while there's still a little love          Yeah I'd never known Granny    to take her a sip    But the words were slurrin' right   off a her lips    And it dawned on me white lightnin'    hit the family tree    Yeah it dawned on me white lightnin'   hit the family tree    Oh, but they had a good time man    Take it on ya'll